I would like to respond to some of the charges of cultism and gurus
and such that Richard is being
subjected to.
First, a little background,
I was very involved in the 'scene' Richard describes for quite some time.
But then I reached a crossroads
in my life and had to go on to some other things. To make a long story
short, I am now a research scientist
for a large corporation ( have been for 20 years and not
downsized yet!). I have been trained to analyze, disect, and question
everything. So, I am not and never have been very susceptible to
goo-goo-gaa-gaa kinds of things.
MY ARTISTIC TALENTS ARE EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE!
(Okay, okay, just wanted to get your attention so you don't skim over
this next stuff like I usually do...)
When I was a young man, before being influenced by Tristano, sometimes I
would go to play my instrument (piano), and BAMMMMMMMMMMMM!, everything
sounded great! I would hit this note, try that chord, and geez,
what a great feeling. I could do no wrong. I figured I am really starting
to get this stuff.
Well, I'd finally have to leave my instrument and do other stuff, but
would be looking forward to the next BAM
session.
Now the next day (or even later the same day) I would go back to my
piano, sit down and start playing, and BLAH.
Nothing happening. I would try some of the cool stuff from the BAM
experience, still nothing. What the heck was going on?
Obviously, I had the same tools (chops, theory etc) at the BAM session as
the BLAH session. (And no, no drugs or alcohol were involved at either
session). Something magical had happened at the BAM session.
Has anyone else on this list experienced this? Most players I have known
say they have, but I've had a limited scope of exposure.
I would argue that anyone who plays an instrument for more than a few
years does so always in expectation of the next BAM experience.
I think Tristano recognized this magical thing in Bud Powell and came up
with methods to help students learn it.
It was articulated to me as a door into your feelings. When you open that
door, you get a BAM session, otherwise a BLAH session.
Top players can control this door pretty easily. People like me struggle
much harder to open it. Why? No clue. But
if I get BAMMED once a week, I am very happy.
Tristano's techniques won't work for ALL students. Why? Because the
student has to figure out how to open his own door. Only he/she has the
key. A teacher can help but If you don't figure this out, no BAM
sessions!
Now, it has also been my experience that people don't like to hear this,
especially the technical community.
A good scientist will want to analyze and understand everything. No
magic.... Well, there is magic in music.
It ain't all technique, chops, theory, etc. Something else is going on
(magic, feelings, whatever).
Comments?
Pete.